About The Mae and Paddy Butler Feis

Mae and Paddy Butler arrived in Toronto in 1953 with their sons Michael, Patrick Jr and daughter June. They brought Irish dance to Canada, opening an Irish Dancing School in Toronto and were one of the most prominent and well-respected members of the Irish dancing world.

Paddy, a certified figure dance teacher and champion button accordionist choreographed the most extraordinary dance dramas, one of the most memorable being the “Spinning Wheel”. Paddy was also one of the only Irish traditional accordion player in Toronto for many years and played packed dance halls with his renowned “Paddy Butler Orchestra.”

Mae served as vice-president of An Commisuin and was inducted into the Irish Cultural Hall of Fame over 25 years ago. Together Mae and Paddy trained many World Champion dancers who went on to become teachers themselves including their children June and Patrick Jr.

This Feis was at one time known as The Scarborough Feis and is one of the earliest Feiseanna in Toronto. The Feis has been registered with the North American Feis Commission since 1973 (though we believe it started earlier than that).

Today, we of Irish heritage humbly express our sincere appreciation to this outstanding couple. Their memory will live on forever in all of our children through Irish dancing and music.